Golden Isles Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services

WIGGINTON, Judge.

Appellant brings this appeal from the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services’ final order denying appellant’s request for a Medicaid interim rate increase. We reverse.

Appellant, lessees and operators of a nursing home facility requested the rate increase following negotiations with the owners of the premises resulting in an increased lease cost and an extension of the lease term. Significant to the department was the fact that the negotiations and resultant amendment of the lease occurred approximately three years prior to the expiration of the original lease…